How to start homeschooling in Texas
The legal steps, in order, checked against Texas law.
Short answer: In Texas a home school is treated as a private school, which is exempt from compulsory public school attendance. The exemption statute requires that a private school include a study of good citizenship. Texas has no state notice requirement, and the Texas Education Agency says withdrawing takes only written notice to the school.
Checked against Tex. Educ. Code 25.086(a)(1) on Nov 8, 2026. Compulsory school ages: 6 until the 19th birthday. This is what the law says, not legal advice.
Private school (home school)
Families teaching at home, which Texas law treats as a private school.
Steps
- If your child is enrolled in public school, give the school a written withdrawal letter or sign its withdrawal form. TEA says a signed, dated letter stating the child is being homeschooled and the start date is sufficient.
- Teach a curriculum that includes a study of good citizenship.
- If the district later asks in writing, you may provide a letter of assurance that your curriculum covers reading, spelling, grammar, mathematics, and good citizenship. TEA says this letter is not required each year.
| Notice to the state | No notice required |
|---|---|
| Subjects | The exemption statute requires a study of good citizenship. TEA says a district may ask for an assurance that the curriculum is designed to meet basic education goals including reading, spelling, grammar, mathematics, and good citizenship. |
| Time | Not confirmed in our check. Ask the state education department. |
| Parent qualifications | None required by law. |
| Testing or evaluation | None required by law. |
| Records to keep | None required by law. |
The law: Tex. Educ. Code 25.086(a)(1) Tex. Educ. Code 33.0832(b)
Leaving public school mid-year
TEA says school officials should disenroll a student when they receive written notice, either a signed withdrawal form or a letter of withdrawal. Parents do not need to appear in person, present curriculum, or meet other requirements to withdraw.
High school, transcripts and diplomas
TEA says students transferring from home schools must be treated the same as students from unaccredited private schools when awarding credit, which a district may decide by reviewing the curriculum and work or by assessment (19 TAC 74.26(a)(2)). Districts must let home school students take the PSAT/NMSQT and AP tests they offer enrolled students (Tex. Educ. Code 29.916).
Public school sports and activities
Yes, in most districts. A public school that takes part in UIL activities must let a non-enrolled home school student who meets UIL eligibility participate in the same manner as enrolled students, at the school the student would attend by address. A district board or charter may adopt a policy declining, in which case the student may participate at the closest school without such a policy. To be eligible in the first six weeks, the student must show grade-level proficiency on a nationally recognized norm-referenced test, and parents provide periodic written verification afterward (Tex. Educ. Code 33.0832).
After the paperwork
Common questions
Do I have to tell the state I am homeschooling in Texas?
Not under the private school (home school) route.
Is testing required for homeschoolers in Texas?
No. Texas law does not require testing under the private school (home school) route.
What subjects are required for homeschooling in Texas?
The exemption statute requires a study of good citizenship. TEA says a district may ask for an assurance that the curriculum is designed to meet basic education goals including reading, spelling, grammar, mathematics, and good citizenship.
What ages must be schooled in Texas?
Ages 6 until the 19th birthday, per state law.
Sources
- Tex. Educ. Code 25.086(a)(1)
- Tex. Educ. Code 33.0832(b)
- Home Schools (To the Administrator Addressed letter), Texas Education Agency
We read each source on Nov 8, 2026 and recheck every guide each quarter. Laws change. If something here no longer matches the state, write to us and we will fix it.